POLICE CHIEF
The Position
The Police Chief plans, directs, and coordinates the activities and operations of the department. The work involves responsibility for the protection of lives and property in the community through supervision of all police functions. Work involves the efficient operation of the Police Department through control of activities and by taking measures to prevent crime and to protect lives and property of the public through the planning of activities and the training, assignment, supervision and the discipline of all department members.
The position also develops strategic long-range plans; requests and administers the department’s annual budget; and reviews and assigns staff resources as needed to achieve program and service objectives.
In addition to departmental leadership and overseeing daily operations, the Chief is an integral part of the City’s leadership team. The Chief will be expected to work collaboratively with multiple departments in order to see the City’s vision into reality. The Chief will be expected to engage regularly with citizens, staff, elected and sometimes appointed leadership, as well as other agencies and departments.
Other Duties:
- Consults with the City Administrator in development and implementation of City ordinances and law enforcement policies and programs
- Plans and supervises the enforcement of traffic and safety regulations and crime prevention and detection activities
- Supervises the preparation of court cases and appears in court sessions as requested
- Responsible for the coordination of police training measures
- Cooperates with federal, state, and other local officers in the apprehension and detention of wanted persons and with other agencies where activities of the Police Department are involved
- Supervises programs directed toward juvenile offenders
- Prepares a complete report each year of the financial and operational requirements of the department
- Effectively communicates and maintains a positive working relationship with both internal and external stakeholders
- When necessary, ensures capital projects are executed and completed
Ideal Candidate
At the City of Pleasant Hill, we value authentic leadership. The ideal candidate is humble and self-aware, capable of making sound decisions, can delegate effectively and still deliver the most relevant information to City leadership, is articulate, and is a team-player for the City as a whole. The selected individual will be able to articulate the needs of the department and the impact of decisions while maintaining a commitment to all City operations. The selected candidate will need to maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with all members of the City’s leadership team, regional law enforcement partners, and community organizations.
Candidates for this position should feel comfortable leading by example and having a passion to lead the department in making community connections, building upon the relationships with residents, business owners, and visitors.
The successful candidate must embrace a willingness to be open and transparent. The successful candidate should be approachable, personable and must value integrity and have a strong commitment to ethics in their personal and professional life.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
The position must possess the following skills, knowledge, and abilities:
- Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of police administration, police methods and management
- Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and accepted good practices and procedures as applied to the areas of patrol, traffic control, criminal investigation, crime prevention, rules of evidence, the rights of suspects, and accused persons and the citizen’s right to privacy
- Comprehensive knowledge of Pleasant Hill’s demographic and topographic configuration and its law enforcement needs
- Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal statutes, and laws.
- Considerable knowledge of the principles of personnel management.
- Ability to establish programs and priorities and to pursue objectives
- Ability to evaluate program effectiveness
- Knowledge of the use of police records and their application to Police Administration
- Ability to act decisively and effectively in emergency situations
- Ability to actively command field operations
- Ability to give effective oral presentations and quality written communication skills
- Ability to interact effectively with elected officials, other department heads, other law enforcement officials, and the general public
- Ability to prepare, justify, and administer a department budget
- Knowledge of the types and uses of firearms, communications and automotive equipment in modern police work
- Ability to plan, lay out and supervise the work of subordinates performing police activities and to develop proper training and instructional procedures for those employees, and to maintain a high level of discipline and morale
- Must possess the physical ability of a police officer, including the ability to restrain violent persons when called on to do so.
Education and Experience
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ten (10) years of law enforcement experience, with five (5) years of law enforcement supervision as a police chief, assistant police chief, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, or equivalent
- Missouri POST requirements established by Missouri State Statutes
- Valid driver’s license and a good driving record
- Be able to undergo and pass a physical, medical, and psychological examination, including a drug screening, and a background check
While residency within the city limits is not a requirement, it is strongly encouraged. The selected candidate must have the ability to respond within a timely manner.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Fifteen (15) years of law enforcement experience, with five (5) years of supervisory experience
- Supervisory experience with a similar or larger size department
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of Criminal Justice or other related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education
Compensation And Benefits
The salary range for this position is $78,340 - $112,803. The City provides a generous benefit program including health, dental, life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and paid vacation and sick leave. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City provides a LAGERS L-6 retirement plan which does not require any employee contributions.
Please apply online www.pleasanthill.com/jobs
First review of applications: May 29, 2026
